UNION, Ky. — Bobby Pierce led 75 of the 100 laps on Saturday night en route to his second straight Sunoco North/South 100 Presented by Lucas Oil at Florence Speedway.
It was Pierce’s third win in the crown jewel race as he ties Jimmy Owens and Jack Boggs for the most wins in the 42-year history of the race.
The Oakwood, Ill. driver earned $75,000 for the victory. Pierce also became the first driver to win the event in back-to-back years since Don O’Neal in 2012-13.
A restart with six laps to go gave Devin Moran one last shot to steal the win from Pierce, but Pierce was able to hold off Moran for his fourth Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the season. Moran finished second falling just 0.597 seconds behind the winner at the finish.
Drake Troutman, who was making his first appearance at Florence, finished third after starting 23rd.
Max Blair and Brandon Overton rounded out the top five.
Pierce jumped to the early lead in the race as Mike Marlar moved into second around Daulton Wilson on lap four. Pierce held a steady lead with Marlar holding down the second spot until he seized the opportunity to take the lead as Pierce endured traffic.
Marlar made the pass for the lead on lap 42 gaining the top spot from Pierce, who led the first 41 laps of the race from the outside of the front row. Marlar held the point over Pierce until Pierce regained the lead on lap 67. Moran, who started ninth, was able to overhaul Marlar for second on lap 72.
Caution flags on lap 76 and 85 kept Moran in striking distance, but on the restarts, Pierce was able to pull away. Pierce continued to build his lead over Moran, but Moran had one last shot at Pierce as back-to-back cautions on laps 93 and 94 kept the field close.
Moran tried every avenue possible to pass Pierce in the closing laps but could never muster enough momentum.
In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 21st time in his career the second-generation racer was concerned when Marlar passed him and then having to fight off the challenges of Moran late in the race.
“I was very worried there,” Pierce said. The track was kind of loose on some spots that I’m normally really good at where I could get my launches off the corner. I knew it wasn’t going to be there at the end. There were 50 laps to go there and I’m setting there in second and I’m like man we are only halfway through this race, and I feel like I am already burning the tires off a little bit. The track was abrasive and slick in fact it was very slick. It was super hard to run the top. Devin showed his nose, and I really wanted to stay in second, because you have control on the restarts what line you want to pick. So, I knew I had to stay in front of Devin.”
Moran, who closed the gap on points leader Ricky Thornton Jr., continued his solid weekend at Florence as he completed his third runner-up finish in the three days of racing.
“I just had to battle up through the field. You’ve got to get in front of that 32 car before he gets into the lead if not it’s hard to pass him,” Moran said. “That’s what we did at Huset’s; we got out front and he was chasing us. I thought I had a shot to get in front of him a couple of times and I just couldn’t stay in front of him. I shouldn’t be bummed for running second.”
Troutman leads the O’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie-of-the-Year standings.
“It was definitely a heck of a night. The whole invert deal there hurt us, I thought I could get a top ten at best. But I don’t know the boys never gave up on me. The track was pretty dang good tonight. Congrats to Bobby on the win and Devin for second. We will get back to work and get ready for Batesville next week. Bobby and Devin’s been pretty well the class of the field here lately. I am just happy to be up here.”
The finish:
Bobby Pierce, Devin Moran, Drake Troutman, Max Blair, Brandon Overton, Jonathan Davenport Daulton Wilson, Ricky Thornton Jr., Tim McCreadie, Zack Dohm, Mike Marlar, Garrett Alberson, Ross Bailles, Jimmy Owens, Hudson O’Neal, Ross Robinson, Clay Harris, Brenden Smith, Tanner English, Josh Rice, Jason Jameson, Ethan Dotson, Nick Hoffman, Tyler Erb, Boom Briggs, Carson Ferguson, Cory Hedgecock, Michael Chilton, Jordan Wever.